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Why Is Lionel Messi Not Playing Tonight For Inter Miami Vs DC United?
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Inter Miami will be taking on DC United away from home in the MLS. The Herons will be without their biggest star in the team, Lionel Messi. The Argentine will miss two straight games for Inter Miami.

Messi's last appearance was against LA Galaxy last weekend at Chase Stadium, where he played for 45 minutes. He scored and provided an assist in Inter Miami's 3-1 win over the MLS Cup champions.

In the week, Inter Miami took on Tigres UANL in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals. Messi was expected to play, but after missing a training session, the Argentine was not added to the squad list.

Messi watched the game against Tigres from the VIP seats near the pitch. He walked into the stadium with the rest of the players.

Lionel Messi Is Not Fit for Inter Miami vs DC United

Messi is confirmed not to play the game against DC United, as Javier Mascherano does not want to risk the player. The Argentine star did not train ahead of the game against DC United at Audi Field.

Mascherano confirmed that the plan is to have Messi ready for the match against Orlando City in the Leagues Cup semifinal on Wednesday. Not only will Messi not play against DC United, but the Argentine star did not travel with the team.

Javier Mascherano: "Yes, Leo will rest because of the trip, for all that entails, and because of the importance of Wednesday, and we'll see [if he's fit again]."

Another player who is injured and will not travel with the team is Jordi Alba. The Spanish left-back suffered an injury in the first half against Tigres and couldn't continue at the start of the second half. Alba was also not present at the team training for the match against DC United.

Inter Miami's Upcoming Schedule

After the DC United game, Inter Miami will return to Miami to prepare for the Leagues Cup semifinal against Orlando City at Chase Stadium. Inter Miami had a match against Chicago Fire scheduled for August 30, but it has been rescheduled.

The game will now be played on September 30 at Chase Stadium. The game was rescheduled since Inter Miami advanced to the semifinal of the Leagues Cup.

Inter Miami will either play the Leagues Cup third-place game or the Leagues Cup Final on August 31. Inter Miami will travel to the West Coast to play either Seattle Sounders or LA Galaxy.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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